Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) directs all federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the ESA. Section 7 of the ESA is the mechanism by which federal agencies ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species.

The Forest Service defines sensitive species as “those plant and animal species identified by a Regional Forester for which population viability is a concern, as evidenced by significant current or predicted downward trends in population numbers or density, or significant current or predicted downward trends in habitat capability that would reduce a species’ existing distribution” (Forest Service Manual [FSM] 2670).  The sensitive species list for Forest Service units in Utah is attached here.

BLM sensitive species are designated to “conserve these species and their habitats… to promote their conservation and reduce the likelihood and need for such species to be listed pursuant to the ESA” (BLM Manual 6840).

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has published recovery plans for many of the listed species in the state, including:

• Mexican spotted owl plan (all counties)
• Southwestern willow flycatcher plan (Emery, Grand, San Juan)
• Razorback sucker plan and amendment

• Bonytail chub plan and amendment
• Colorado pikeminnow plan and amendment
• Humpback chub plan and amendment
• Greenback cutthroat trout plan (San Juan)

The Razorback Sucker data and the Bonetailed Chub data shows the habitat locations of these species.

Other management direction includes conservation plans for sage-grouse:

• Gunnison sage-grouse rangewide conservation plan (San Juan)
• Gunnison Sage Grouse Centrocercus minimus Conservation Plan San Juan County
• Gunnison Sage-grouse Centrocercus minimus Conservation Plan Update San Juan County
• Conservation Plan for Greater Sage-grouse in Utah

The Sage Grouse Leks data and the Sage Grouse Management Areas data can be used to locate sage grouse habitat or populations within the county.

The DWR Sensitive Species data is 7.5 minute topographic quad level data. Click on a quad to see the sensitive species in that general location. The CHAT data (Crucial Habitat Assessment Tool) is a landscape ranking of habitat.

Economic Analysis of Critical Habitat Designations
The ESA prohibits consideration of economic impacts when determining whether to list a species, but it does require consideration of economic impacts when designating critical habitat. “Because of its huge impact on land use, the designation of critical habitat is one of the most controversial and heavily litigated areas of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).”[3] In 2013 the USFWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service issued a final rule regarding how and when these agencies evaluate the economic impacts of critical habitat designation.

Funding for Non-game Species and the Utah Wildlife Action Plan
Species extinctions in the late 19th century and early 20th century triggered national awareness and response in the form of active wildlife management. “Many species pursued today by hunters and anglers would have been considered ‘endangered with extinction’ if that phrase had been in common use during the early 20th Century.”[1] Much of the funding for subsequent conservation successes came from hunter and angler license fees and habitat stamps and federal excise taxes on shooting, boating, and fishing equipment. These sources may indirectly benefit some “non-game” species, but in general funding is harder to come by for these species.

“In 1997, as part of the state water tax, the Utah Legislature created the Endangered Species Mitigation Fund (ESMF) which significantly expanded the funding base for conservation of wildlife species which are designated as Utah Sensitive Species or are ESA-listed. The purpose of this fund is to avoid, reduce, and/or mitigate impacts of ESA listings on the people of Utah.”[1]

“The Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2002 created the federal State Wildlife Grants program (SWG), which enables Congressional appropriators to consider funding wildlife and habitat conservation on a year-to-year basis. This law requires that each state have a current, approved Wildlife Action Plan to remain eligible for any SWG funding that Congress appropriates to the federal program. States that choose to participate in the SWG program must review and revise their Wildlife Action Plans at least once every 10 years, if they want to maintain their eligibility.” Utah’s initial Wildlife Action Plan was completed and approved in 2005, and there is currently a 2015 draft available [1].